BELLINGEN SKATEPARK

A community festival featuring young bands and singer-songwriters, the Budaabang Bari dancers, a free BBQ, creative workshops including ‘The Great Curtain Challenge’ and bringing people together to plant 420 trees along the beautiful Bellinger River, helping to protect one of the most pristine rivers in Australia.

Purple disturbance

  • Purple Disturbance are a young four piece teen band from Coffs Harbour who make an absolute bloody racket, a mixture between punk and alternative rock.

    Purple disturbance 2024 highlights included tours and shows with Grinspoon, Jebediah, Beddy Rays,Dune Rats, Goons Of Doom, Private Function, Guttermouth (USA) and a slew of local bands. They have undertaken multiple tours up and down the East Coast, instilling a complicated relationship with Maccas and van farts.

    The Purple boys entered 2024 Unearthed High with there second single release "Juice Stick", didn't win but scored radio play on Unearthed and mentions on Triple J and gained positive reviews from presenters.

    For fans of, Amyl and the Sniffers, Idles, Private Function, The Vines and Rob Lowe. Melodic hard edged guitar, punchy drums and dynamic crunchy bass. Energetic singer Thomas has proven himself to be a dynamic front man, a natural showman drawing comparisons of Jim Morrison, Nick Cave and Iggy Pop.

    Early 2025 see PD release their third single, “Queen Bee”

    2025, school is done, a new chapter awaits. PD are committed to giving this life of music a go, the boys have proven themselves to be a powerhouse live act and are looking to write record and tour, this is the goal, utilizing a DIY ethos, but willing to learn and listen to those around them, Hooray!

MISsCOMMUNICATION

  • Miscommunication is an all-girl band based in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. They have performed original songs at events such as the Boom Clash Rockstar band competition, where they reached the live semi-finals and won the Audience Choice award.

    Additionally, Miscommunication was part of the lineup for the SummerSalt festival held on December 14, 2024, in Coffs Harbour, sharing the stage with artists like Tones And I, Coterie, and Illy.

lobotomitez

  • Bio coming soon

mid drift

  • Female lead grunge revivalists featuring some of Bello High's finest musicians.

    This newly formed band is excited to have their debut gig at Riveryouthfest this year :)

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*Take a photo at the event and tag OzGREEN and Arborgreen to go in the draw to win 4 x tickets to the Treetops Adventure Park !

HELP PLANT 420 TREES!

help protect one of the most pristine rivers in Australia

  • Everyone !

    However, under 11s need to accompanied by an adult.

  • You don’t need to register to plant a tree, however, please join our “tree helpers” contact list in the form below so that we can let you know about other events to help care for these trees into the future. :)

  • Planters will plant approximately two trees which will take about 15 minutes. There’s plenty of time to explore everything the festival has to offer and plant some trees for the river!

    Go on.. it’s a pretty great thing to do on a Saturday arvo while listening to some tunes!

  • Don’t worry! Our planting helper team will give a demo at the start and go over everything you need to know.

    Our helpers will be there with you on the planting site to help you if you have any questions or need any help :)

  • Awesome!

    Just come up to the Tree Planting tent at the festival.

    Wear closed-in shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and water bottle.
    Also, please register here so we can let you know about other events to help care for these trees into the future. :)

  • Come to the Tree Planting Tent, grab a bucket and choose the plants/trees that you would like to plant.


    Riveryouthfest partners and volunteers will run through the tree planting technique and direct you to where to plant your trees on the site.

  • Each plant/tree will be marked with a colour which will correspond to a coloured spray mark on the planting site.


    Match the colours to know where to plant your tree.


    There will be ‘Planting Helpers’ on site who will help you plant your trees and answer any questions you might have.

Join our “Tree Helpers” contact list

“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

- Chinese proverb

What’s On

  • Welcome to Country

  • Budaabang Bari Dance Troupe

  • Tree planting

    Help plant 400 tees and plants for the Bellinger River!

  • The Great Curtain Challenge !

    Helping the planet has never been so fun or stylish!

  • Free Hot Choccy & Chai

    A relaxing space to hang out.

  • FREE BBQ and fairy bread

  • Body Art

  • Photo Booth Bell Tent

  • Waterbug Tent

    Discover a hidden aquatic world!

  • Skatey Fixey

    By the Bellingen Youth Hub

  • Giant JEnga & collaborative artwork

    By Headspace!

  • Clothes Swap

    Bring 5 clothes to swap!

  • How to vote

    Learn about why it’s important for us to all vote in the upcoming election

  • Flower Tent

    Get creative with flowers!

  • Zine Creation Workshop

  • Youth Projects Brainstorm

    Did you hear that the Bellingen Youth Hub won a grant recently for some upgrades!!

    What else would you like to see for youth, both at the Bellingen Youth Hub and in and around Bello?

    Join in the brainstorm and help create the world you want to see!!

THE great curtain challenge!

Step 1 : Grab some old curtains from the pile of textile waste

Step 2 : Get creative using the scissors, pins, haberdashery items and sewing machines provided.

Step 3 : Strut your stuff to show off your new garment or outfit

HELPING the planet has never been so fun or stylish!

Calling All Creative Minds!

Join us at the Bellingen River Youth Festival for a hands-on Zine Creation Workshop, where we’ll co-design a free, fold-out resource packed with essential local contacts for youth. From mental health hotlines and free GP clinics to housing support and transport info, we’ll brainstorm the most useful services to have at your fingertips.

This youth-led project will ensure the final professionally printed guide is practical, relevant, and easily accessible.

Guided by local comic artist Richard Sampson and the Happymess Studio Art Therapy team, you'll also have the chance to bring these resources to life through comics and illustrations. Your artwork could be featured in the final publication!

Open to ages 12+, this workshop is proudly funded by Bellingen Council and hosted by OzGreen. Don’t miss this chance to create, collaborate, and shape something truly useful for the youth of Bellingen!

clothes swap

Help us tackle textile waste in Bellingen! Amanda from the Bowerhouse will be onsite at Riveryouthfest to host a free clothes swap for festival-goers.

Join in and score some ‘new to you’ threads!

bring up to 5 items of clothing in good condition, and swap them for something else !

YOUTH PROJECTS BRAINSTORM

What else would you like to see for youth, both at the Bellingen Youth Hub and in and around Bello?

Join in the brainstorm at Riveryouthfest and

Help create the world you want to see!!

survey for community groups

The Bellingen Youth Hub is also running a short survey for community members and local groups who are interested in contributing ideas, time, skills, or resources to support the Upgrade project.

Let’s build something great together.

We need people to help on the planting, at the activity tents and with set up and pack down.

In the recent YouthSpeak survey, one of the major requests from young people was for more activities, events and music festivals for young people.

Together, let’s make this happen for our young people!

  • We are seeking both adults and young people aged 11+ to help bring this event to life!

    Certain roles require a Working with Children check so if you have one, please list the details in the registration form below.

    If you don't have one but plan on getting on before the event, let us know in the registration form .

  • The event is from 3pm-6pm. Shift options are shown in the dropdown below.

    If these set times don't work for you, just let us know the times that do work for you in the form.

    We deeply appreciate any help you can give!

Step 1 : Read the Volunteer Agreement

Step 2 : Register at the link below :

#ourriversourfuture

This is a no-swim, no smoke and no alcohol event. If you choose to swim, it is at your own risk.

Parents/guardians are responsible after young people leave this event and/or it finishes.

In the case of wet weather, the event will move to the Bellingen Youth Hub.

  • Please walk up the path to the toilets on Church street.

  • There will be a first aid tent at the event.

  • We recommend parking up at the carpark behind the Memorial Hall and walking down via the lane from Church Street.

FAQ

Are you an artist, speaker or workshop presenter who would like to be involved in events like this?

Fill out an Expression of Interest form below.